Image Gallery 2007
19 November 2007
Reconstruction Task Force to assign Afghan soldiers
Afghan soldiers are about to join the Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) in Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan. They will wear the RTF badge and operate alongside the diggers during reconstruction tasks.
To that end several Afghan soldiers are undergoing initial assessment by the RTF. By the end of the month, 10 of the best will be chosen to be ‘badged’ for service with the Aussies.
The program demonstrates a deliberate inclusiveness that is a feature of RTF endeavor in Afghanistan. Examples range from the conduct of regular consultative Shuras (meetings) to projects that create local employment.
Australia has deployed an ADF Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), consisting of a combined arms team, to the Uruzgan Province in Southern Afghanistan as part of Operation SLIPPER. The RTF is in partnership with the Netherlands Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and forms part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
The RTF has a clearly defined role to work on reconstruction, improvement of provincial infrastructure and community based projects. The RTF also provides trade training to the local population and military engineering training to the Afghan National Army. This type of assistance is designed to benefit the people of Uruzgan Province well into the future and form building blocks of a stable and prosperous community.
The RTF contains around 370 ADF personnel from predominately Queensland-based units. It includes elements to provide command, security, engineering, and administrative support and is equipped with Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV), Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) and armoured engineer.
| 20071114adf8252964_005 Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) Physical Training Instructor Sergeant Shane 'Big Unit' Andrews takes Afghan soldiers attached to the RTF through some warm-up exercises. (Date taken: 14 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071114adf8252964_018 Captain Pat Davison of the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) keeps up with Afghan soldiers attached to the RTF during a team-building exercise. (Date taken: 14 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071114adf8252964_022 Afghan soldiers attached to the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) enjoy a fire-power demonstration during training. (Date taken: 14 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071114adf8252964_047 Corporal Johnathan Batten of the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) briefs Afghan soldiers attached to the RTF. (Date taken: 14 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071114adf8252964_085 Sapper Matthew Kennedy of the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) instructs Afghan soldiers attached to the RTF on the finer points of putting up a wire barrier. (Date taken: 14 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20071114adf8252964_099 Sapper Matthew Kennedy and Lance Corporal Daryl Eaton of the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) instruct Afghan soldiers attached to the RTF on the finer points of putting up a wire barrier. (Date taken: 14 November 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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